UN Youth Envoy Urges Sierra Leonean Students to Lead the AI Revolution

UN Youth Envoy Urges Sierra Leonean Students to Lead the AI Revolution

In a landmark visit to Central University Sierra Leone on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, delivered a stirring call to action, urging the nation’s youth to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation as the primary engines for national transformation.  

Addressing a high-level roundtable titled "Youth, AI, and Digital Innovation: Building the Future of Sierra Leone," Paullier emphasized that the digital era is not a distant prospect but a current reality that Sierra Leonean students must lead rather than merely follow.  Paullier identified AI as a pivotal tool for solving some of the country’s most pressing challenges.

He specifically highlighted three sectors where digital innovation can yield immediate impact: 

• Agriculture: Utilizing AI for smart farming and agribusiness to bolster food security. 

• Entrepreneurship: Creating new pathways for digital startups and remote work opportunities.  

• Productivity: Leveraging automation and data to streamline education and governance. 

The UN envoy was clear that potential alone is not enough. He called on academic institutions and the government to prioritize digital mentorship and investment in innovation ecosystems. 

His visit highlighted the necessity of ensuring that no young person is left behind due to a lack of digital access or technical training. The event, which included representatives from the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Sierra Leonean government, underscored the importance of partnerships between universities and the private sector to create a "tech-ready" workforce.  

Paullier’s stop at Central University was part of a larger multi-day tour of Sierra Leone. Earlier in the week, he visited the Obasanjo Skills Acquisition and Youth Transformation Centre in Freetown, where he met with returned migrants and vocational trainees.  

By connecting the dots between basic vocational skills and high-tech AI innovation, the UN Youth Envoy signaled a comprehensive strategy for the UN's engagement in the region: empowering the 60% of Sierra Leone’s population under the age of 30 to become the "drivers of innovation" for a modern, digital economy.